Teachers of the
Year

Kelly O'Hara is an alumna of Elkton High School where
she now teaches. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
History Secondary Education from Salisbury University
in 2005 and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and
Instruction with an Administration I certification from
McDaniel College in 2011. Kelly has developed her skills
as a teacher-leader by serving as School Improvement
Team Facilitator, Internal Coordinator for her school’s
Middle States reaccreditation process, and Lead Teacher
of the social studies department. She has presented
professional development at the national, state, and
local level. Kelly writes curriculum, supervises student
teachers, and mentors new teachers.

April Pinder, Physical
Education teacher at Church Hill Elementary School,
motivates the school community to embrace physical
activity and a healthy lifestyle. Her enthusiasm for
physical education can be witnessed through her role as
coordinator of the school health fair and the
implementation of the
Let’s Move Campaign.
She was nominated for the NFL Teacher of the Year
program, and also established a before school jump rope
club which includes over 100 students. April has
implemented a variety of events to foster wellness,
school pride, and student perseverance. Ms. Pinder
graduated from
Salisbury University with a Master’s in Education and
Bachelor’s in Physical Education.

Lauren Monroe, a graduate of
Salisbury
University, received her Bachelor of Science Degree in
Elementary and Early Childhood Education and a Master’s
Degree in Education as a Reading Specialist.
She has taught pre-kindergarten at the Wicomico Early
Learning Center since 2007. Ms. Monroe is passionate
about inquiry-based instruction through Developmentally
Appropriate Practices (DAP), kidwriting, and partnering
with families. Her commitment to the profession is
shown through her work as a mentor teacher and adjunct
professor for Salisbury University. Ms. Monroe’s
accomplishments include presenting at the International
Reading Association Convention and the National
Association for the Education of Young Children
Conference.

2013-2014

Calvert County – Southern Middle School
Jon Cox, Mathematics Teacher

Jon K. Cox earned his B.S. in elementary
education from Salisbury University and his
M.S. in curriculum and instruction from McDaniel
College. A recipient of two technology grants courtesy
of the Maryland E-Portfolio Project and Dominion Energy,
his genuine charisma and passion for creative,
high-quality mathematics instruction always shine
through. A Salisbury University Summa Cum Laude
graduate and 2006 commencement exercise speaker, Mr. Cox
works at the county and state level developing and
critiquing curriculum. A 2009 MOD-MSA standard setting
team member, he encourages students to take
responsibility for achievement through the
implementation of the “Co-taught D.A.S.H for Success.”

Courtney Haldeman inspires at-risk middle school
students to improve their math skills with creativity
and compassion. She leads professional development,
serves as team leader and SIT team member, and mentors
new teachers and interns. Also, she supports Relay for
Life, March of Dimes, and Women Supporting Women. Her
strategies have proven effective with over half of her
students improving their level of proficiency on the
MSA. Haldeman’s dedication and professionalism are
evident in her classroom. She graduated cum
laude from Salisbury University (2007), with a B.S. in
Elementary Education and a minor in Mathematics,
and is working on her master’s degree.

Kristin, a 1998 graduate of Salisbury University, has her degree
in elementary education. She has been a
featured speaker for Salisbury University, a member of
the family leadership council, and the county council of
PTAs. As a Maryland Multicultural Education and
Educator Effectiveness Academy representative and
Maryland PTA Lifetime Achievement Award winner, she is
able to share insight and new knowledge with other
professionals. Serving as a Professional Development
School trained mentor for local university education
majors, she impacts future teachers. Volunteering for
various church, government, and non-profit groups allows
her to connect with the community that has given her so
much.

Worcester County – Snow Hill Elementary
Karen Eure, Kindergarten

Karen Eure has been teaching kindergarten at Snow Hill Elementary, a
Maryland and National Blue Ribbon School, for 25 years.
She teaches a joy of reading, creates number sense with
inquiry, and integrates science using STEM strategies.
Observation and analysis of student progress using the
Maryland Model for School Readiness lead to modification
of instruction to increase success. Ms. Eure’s mission
is to create lifelong learners and problem solvers,
preparing her students for future success in school and
a global economy. Ms. Eure graduated from Mary
Washington College in 1986 with a BA in Spanish
Education. She earned a Master of Education,
with a concentration in reading, from Salisbury
University in 1994.

2012-2013

Dorchester County—Cambridge-South Dorchester High School
Heidi Cohoon, AP English Language and Composition (Grade
11) and English IV (Grade12)

Heidi earned her BA in
English from Salisbury University and MA in Modern
Humanities from Frostburg State University. She has served on
the School Improvement Team, Accreditation for Growth Team, High
School Task Force, and has written county curricula. Heidi
served as senior class advisor, SGA advisor, and director of
publications. Spearheading AP Showcase Night and a pilot reading
mentorship program are among her many accolades. She has
received recognition for coordinating an SU Mentorship program,
being selected for MD Writing Project, advising college interns,
and teaching AP workshops. In addition, she has instructed her
students to mastery on the AP English Literature Examination and
English HSA.

Somerset County – Crisfield High School
Kelly Butler, Social Studies, Grade 10

In 2004, Kelly received a
Bachelor’s degree in government from Liberty University and is
currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Salisbury University.
She has established a team of teachers who target and support
at-risk students, is a behavior coach for at-risk students, and
is the National Honor Society advisor. Kelly has worked with the
SIT team, PBIS, and SGA. She is involved annually with
county-wide curriculum development, as well as mentors teacher
interns. Kelly, a mother of two, volunteers with March of Dimes
and the children’s programs at her church.

Talbot
County Teacher of the Year – Easton Elementary
Katie C. White, Title 1 Reading and Math Teacher

Katie White has a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Sociology/Elementary Education from McDaniel
College and completed her Master’s in Reading from Salisbury
State University. Katie has been teaching for nine years and
has taught Language Arts in grades 3 and 6. She is now the Title
I Reading and Math teacher at Easton Elementary. Katie is a
member of the International Reading Council, Chairperson of the
School Improvement Team, and serves on the County Equity Team,
which trains system staff in Courageous Conversations regarding
equity and race. She participated in the Educator Effectiveness
Academy in 2011 and organized a Math night at the local Food
Lion, which brought together 500 families to learn about
everyday math skills. Katie is active in her community and
serves as an adjunct professor at Salisbury University.

Susan Jones is a
Salisbury University graduate with a degree in Elementary
Education and a Master's in
Post-Secondary Education. Susan began teaching in 1994 and
excels as a leader at her school by chairing the Instructional
Leadership Team (ILT), serving as a team member of RTTT and
being a STEM teacher. She is also an integral link in her
school’s partnership with Salisbury University. For the past ten
years she had been the site-coordinator for Fruitland Primary
School, a teacher mentor, and an adjunct instructor. Susan
refines co-teaching and inclusion techniques to meet each of her
student’s diverse needs.

2011-12

Caroline County – Greensboro
Elementary School
Cheri Nier, First Grade

Caroline County Public
Schools first welcomed Cheri in the fall of 1979, when she
entered kindergarten. After graduating from North Caroline
High in 1992 she attended Salisbury University, majored in
elementary education, and concentrated in early childhood
education. She earned her Master’s in Education from
Salisbury University. In 1998 she was welcomed back to
teach at Preston Elementary. Six years later, she
transferred to Greensboro Elementary and has taught 3rd
grade, been a reading specialist, and currently teaches 1st
grade. Her desire is to create a positive feeling about
school by teaching with a deep love and respect for children.

Stephanie F. Harris-Walent is a Language Arts
Teacher and Team Leader at Milton M. Somers Middle School in
Charles County, Maryland. She has 19 years teaching experience
in public and private schools. She was recognized in 2010 as an
Exemplary Employee for her contributions to the reading program
and dedication to student success. Also in 2010, she was
nominated for the "Working Woman of the Year" Award. She is a
SDB Fellow through Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented
Youth Sarah D. Barder Fellowship program since 2009. She
received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from
Salisbury University in 1992.

Dorchester County – North
Dorchester Middle School
Valerie Lomax, Social Studies, Grade 8

Valerie Lomax graduated cum laude from Salisbury
University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of
Education. She has taught in
Dorchester County for 21 years as a Special Education and Social
Studies teacher. She has served on numerous county and school
committees such as the Instructional Leadership, School
Improvement and Common Core Transition teams. She is involved
with writing curriculum for Financial Literacy, Service
Learning, county benchmarks and Social Studies. She has mentored
nine pre-service teachers from local universities. Mrs. Lomax is
a Maryland Service Learning Fellow and received the National
Citizenship Education Teacher Recognition Award.

Allison has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education
from Salisbury University, a Master’s in Curriculum and
Instruction from McDaniel College, and is a National Board
Certified Teacher. She is currently forming school-wide
committees to participate in Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move”
campaign and has set the bar high with 91% of her students
reaching the healthy fitness zone this year. She is the
Chairperson for her school Crisis Management Team and Faculty
Advisory Committee, a member of the County Calendar Committee,
and as part of Race to the Top, spent time writing performance
indicators for each of the primary level standards in the
Physical Education Maryland State Curriculum.

A native of the Chesapeake Bay region, Dawn
earned her BA in English, Secondary Education (2000) and MA
in Public School Administration from Salisbury University
(2006). Dawn motivates reluctant learners to master literacy
skills by designing authentic, technology-rich lessons.
She incorporates current issues, local history, environmental
and character education and serves as a school-based NorthBay
educator each year. In 2010, 90% of her students passed
the MSA, and 100% of her Special Educations students scored
proficient or advanced, effectively closing the achievement gap.
Dawn also volunteers with organizations that support the
heritage of the Chesapeake Bay and cancer research.

Mrs. Angela Asmussen, a teacher at Tilghman
Elementary, is a graduate of Salisbury University with a BS
in Elementary Education and a Master’s in Teaching and Learning
with Technology. She teaches Math for grades 3-6 and
Language Arts for grade 6. She is the Service Learning
Coordinator for her school, has served on the School Improvement
Team, served as a mentor teacher, and assists in the “Just for
Girls” afterschool program at Tilghman Elementary. She is
actively involved in the Trappe Volunteer Fire Department
serving as trustee and chairing various fundraising projects.
She is currently the secretary for the Tilghman Area Youth
Association (TAYA).

Katharine Long received her Bachelor of Arts
Degree in History at Salisbury University and is pursuing a
Masters Degree in Educational Administration & Supervision at
Frostburg State University. She serves as the Social
Studies Department Leader, as well as the coordinator of the
National Geographic Bee, and on the National History Day Project
and Club. Mrs. Long writes county curriculum and serves on the
School Improvement Team, the Instructional Technology Leadership
Cohort, the Disciplinary Literacy Initiative Group, & Textbook
Selection Committees. Mrs. Long also serves as a new teacher
mentor through several university partnerships and enjoys
volunteering throughout the county.

Chad received his Bachelor’s and Master’s
Degrees from Salisbury Univeristy. His dedication to helping
all students develop a greater understanding of science extends
beyond the classroom to founding and facilitating such programs
as Salisbury Middle’s, nationally recognized, Science Nights,
the SMS Stem Academy, “Blast-Off!” a Summer Scholars program,
and “From Stars to Stegosaurs,” a summer enrichment program for
elementary students. Chad is a school leader, acting as ILT
co-Chair, team leader, and mentor. Past recognition includes:
M.A.S.T. Excellence in Science Teaching, Salisbury University
Outstanding Mentor Teacher, and Wicomico County Environmental
Teacher of the Year.

Jennifer graduated from Salisbury University with
a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Secondary Education.
She is currently completing a Masters from Towson University. In
her eighth year at Snow Hill High School, she teaches Biology
and Environmental Life Science. She wants her students to feel
more interested and intrigued about science and the world around
them and because she understands the importance of motivating
students, she is spearheading a new committee which will develop
motivational strategies aimed at raising student achievement.
She also serves as a new teacher mentor, a National Honor
Society liaison, and a Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies
team member.